Ukiah City Council concerned about lack of progress at Palace Hotel

More than a year after the Ukiah City Council first considered a resolution that would allow its Public Works Department to demolish the Palace Hotel, it is still waiting for the building's owner to complete two important steps.

"We discussed the same things we've discussed before, and expressed concern about the rate of progress," said Mayor Doug Crane, updating the council Wednesday about the most recent meeting he and Council member Mary Anne Landis had with owner Eladia Laines.

"We reminded them rather strongly about the importance of attaining steps that have been mapped out, agreed to and declared by the owner as the way to get the building cleaned out," Crane continued, referring to the fact that Laines still needs approval from the Mendocino County Air Quality Management District to begin removing the large amount of debris amassed in the building after decades of decay.

"They appear to be at a point of getting a permit, at least phased, from Air Quality, so that they could commence removal," he said, referring to Laines and contractor Norm Hudson.

Once the MCAQMD declares that Laines has hired a qualified inspector to oversee removal of lead and asbestos, she can file for a building permit.

"It is our hope that, by two weeks from tonight, there will be positive movement in that direction, but we shall see in two weeks," Crane said. Laines is expected to give her next update to the council at its April 17 meeting.

Landis, who along with Crane makes up the council's ad-hoc committee tasked with the Palace Hotel, said the meeting was also attended by architect Richard Ruff.

"(Ruff) volunteered, at least verbally, to assist with conceptual plans to move (the building) to the next place," Landis said. "If the debris can get removed, it seems like the conceptual plan is part of what needs to happen in order to get the pro forma together that would be of interest to investors."

When Crane asked for comment from City Attorney David Rapport, he said Laines had shown sufficient proof of her ownership of the building to get a building permit from the city, "but I don't know if I would necessarily be involved in her taking any steps to clear the title for financing."

Landis outlined the steps necessary as "the debris, the conceptual plan, then the title insurance," and Rapport said, "the ball's in her court."

Justine Frederiksen can be reached at udjjf@pacific.net, on Twitter @JustFrederiksen or 468-3521.